With 2014 almost in the books it’s time to start thinking about what’s coming up early in 2015, and the Boston Wine Expo hits town on February 14th and 15th. This event brings an amazing number of wines, and it’s a great opportunity to try some new and unusual things. Your attendance also helps support the Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities, a worthy cause. It’s big, so don’t expect a small, intimate tasting. We’ll remind you again as we get closer, and also point out some things to look for. Here’s the last press release.
A votre sante!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Boston Wine Expo Returns to the Seaport
The 24th annual celebration of wine, food and culture hosted over President’s Day weekend
BOSTON, MA (November 18, 2014) – Presented by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the 24th annual Boston Wine Expo returns to the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center over President’s Day weekend (February 14 and 15, 2015). One of the country’s biggest and most respected celebrations of wine, food and culture, this year’s lineup includes wines from around the world, culinary tastings, reserve lounges and VIP experiences, interactive seminars, celebrity chef demonstrations, and more.
The Grand Tasting gives guests a global adventure in a glass. Whether your palate prefers a full-bodied Pinot Noir, buttery Chardonnay, an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon or a dry Pinot Grigio, the 2015 Boston Wine Expo will bring the biggest, boldest and best flavors from the vine to Boston. Featuring over 200 producers and nearly 2,000 wines from around the world, oenophiles will travel through the expansive space – sans passport – swirling and sipping their way to “connoisseur” status. This year’s confirmed exhibitors and features include Hope Family Vineyards, the Wines of Italy Pavilion, the Wines of Argentina Pavilion, Wineries of New York State and Lodi County Wines. Along the way, there will be culinary attractions including bites from popular area restaurants like Cask ‘n Flagon, Earls Kitchen + Bar, Haru, The Living Room, Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, The Stonehedge Inn & Spa, Temazcal and Tony C’s as well as dueling Celebrity Chef Stages. On one stage, New England’s most renowned chefs will showcase their talents including: Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger; Blue Dragon); Barbara Lynch (No. 9 Park; Sportello; Menton); Brian Poe (The Tip Tap Room; Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake; Estelle’s; Bukowski Tavern); Aaron Chambers (Bar Boulud); Louis DiBicarri (Tavern Road); and, Daniel Bruce alongside David Verdo (Chopps American Bar & Grill). On the other, the Boston Wine Expo will feature The Maine Stage where the state of Maine’s top industry minds will exhibit their skills including: Erica Archer (Wine Wise Events); Christopher Basset (Azure Café); Ilma Lopez and Damien Sansonetti (Piccolo); and, Stephen Richards (The World is Mine Oyster). There is also the Social Media Lounge, located in the center of the Grand Tasting floor, which gives guests a birds-eye view of which wines attendees “like” best via mobile app streaming.
Early Bird Tickets (through November 30): Saturday: $89 per person; Sunday: $79 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1 – February 13): Saturday: $99 per person; Sunday: $89 per person
*Tickets include a souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
The Boston Wine Expo’s Vintners’ Reserve Lounge is the ideal setting for serious wine enthusiasts looking to sip their way through rare and expensive vintages. Located in the Seaport Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom, the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge gives guests a chance to spoil their taste-buds with these unique varietals, with many wines retailing for $75 and up per bottle, while enjoying tastings from the city’s finest restaurants including Fairstead Kitchen, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and TAMO Bistro & Bar.
Tickets: $225 per person each day
*Tickets include access to wine samples from over 25 top-rated wineries, complimentary culinary samples, access to the Grand Tasting event, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
With crowds of thousands per day, the VIP Experience package allows guests to bypass the line forming along the Boulevard of Flags and whisks you inside to the main event thirty minutes early. After availing yourself of the VIP coat-check, toast with some bubbly and get to exploring all the Boston Wine Expo has to offer. Hit up the VIP Experience Lounge on the Grand Tasting floor to refuel and stock up on essentials like coffee, snacks and (more) wine while lounging on plush sofas. When you’re good and ready, depart with an upscale gift-bag filled with exclusive products.
Early Bird Tickets (through November 30): Saturday: $135 per person; Sunday: $125 per person
Advance Tickets (December 1 – February 13): Saturday: $145 per person; Sunday: $135 per person
*Tickets include VIP line privileges, complimentary coat-check, an upgraded souvenir Boston Wine Expo glass by Riedel and complimentary glass of champagne, gift-bag, access to wine samples from over 200 producers, complimentary culinary samples, a glossy magazine outlining locations of the exhibitors, information on celebrity chef demos, schedule of guided tastings and seminars and space to write tasting notes.
The Boston Wine Expo’s highly regarded educational programs for both consumers and those in the trade feature top winemakers and industry experts. With nearly 40 topics ranging from food and wine pairings, “One Hour Wine Experts,” and vertical tasting flights of the world’s most sought-after grapes, class is now – deliciously – in session. Seminar highlights at this year’s Boston Wine Expo include “Sipping Smarts: Wine Basics with Leslie Sbrocco,” a cheese and wine pairing seminar led by Brad & Brian Wasik (The Wellesley Cheese Shop) and “The Amazing Story of Barolo” hosted by Ciro Pirone (Director of Italian Wines, Horizon Beverage).
Tickets: Prices vary $30-45 by seminar
And, as always, sipping at this event has a special cause. The major charitable benefactor of the Boston Wine Expo is the Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities. To date, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists has raised over $1.4 million for worthy causes.
The Boston Wine Expo will take place at The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center on February 14 and 15, 2015, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This event is reserved for ages 21+. Tickets now are on sale and available by visiting: www.wine-expos.com/buytickets. Weekend tickets and discount group tickets are also available, as well as dedicated trade industry hours and hotel packages (starting at $312.00 per night).
The Seaport World Trade Center is located at 200 Seaport Boulevard in Boston, MA. For directions and more information, please visit: www.seaportboston.com.
ABOUT THE BOSTON WINE EXPO:
Founded in 1991 by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, the Boston Wine Expo has grown into one of the most well-known and respected wine events in the country. Over $1,400,000 has been donated to local charities by the Guild including Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities – the major beneficiary. Over 27 local charities have benefited from the Expo over the event’s history. Other organizations that have received considerable funding include the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s Pan Mass Challenge and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. For more information, please visit: www.wine-expos.com.
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